Project Summary
CS supplied a collection of RSH-5700 Performance Louvres to the modern VIA 57 West tower in Manhattan, New York, offering superior airflow and rain defence in one single package.
Full Case Study
When commissioned by the Durst Corporation in 2010, architecture and design firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and engineer SLCE Architects wanted to make a statement by bringing a new residential typography to the iconic Manhattan skyline. The final output, dubbed VIA 57 West, today is a visually striking hybrid between the European perimeter block and a traditional Manhattan high-rise.
Among its 21st century features, VIA 57 West integrates residential and retail programming, a green plaza, angular balconies skewed at 45-degree angles, as well as stunning views of the nearby waterfront and Hudson River Park, with minimal traffic noise.
Design Goals
Throughout the design and planning phases, the building’s materials, products, construction methods and operations were all carefully scrutinised by The Durst Corporation to prioritise impact on both the environment and daily living experience.
Building Ventilation was one of these building components. Due to the strong winds along the Hudson River and the exposed surroundings of the building, a louvre system with high airflow performance and rain defence was required. The RSH-5700 Performance Louvre from Construction Specialties was chosen.
Results
Installed length ways above the building’s first floor curtain wall and embedded throughout the pyramid’s staggered, steeply slopped facade, the louvres provide the complex’s 750 residences with enhanced airflow and weather protection from swift winds along the Hudson River – all without compromising the building’s sleek aesthetic. The project also utilised CS screening louvres for aesthetic vision screening.
To date, the project has earned more than 10 national and international architecture awards and merits, including the 2016 International Highrise Award and the 2016 Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) Tall Building Award.
